Popular Bob was a very easy man to get on with

Bob Crean, Hawley Park, Tralee and formerly of Easkey, Co Sligo, passed away on Saturday, June 29, at Kerry General Hospital, following a short illness and in the presence of his loving family.

Christened Robert, but known to all as Bob, he was bom to parents Richard and Annie Crean, in 1939, in Easkey, Co Sligo, with the family later moving to Collooney.
Like so many of his generation, Bob left Ireland in his 20s to seek employment in London. He stayed with a cousin for a short period until he secured work, firstly with British Rail and later in north Wembley where he was employed with the
Wrigley's Chewing Gum factory.

This was a happy period in Bob's life and through a mutual friend, he was introduced to Hanna McCarthy from Tralee who later became his wife. Sadly, she passed away on February 19 of last year.
They married in Margate, Kent in 1970, but a yearning for home brought them back to Hanna's home town where they resided with Hanna's mother in Kevin Barry's Villas. Bob and Hanna were blessed with a daughter Joanna, born in 1972.
He secured employment at the Ball Bearing Factory in Clash and after its closure worked on many building sites in the town and surrounding area. Bob was a very easy man to get on with and was very popular with everybody with whom he
worked and those who spent time in his company over a friendly drink. Bob was involved in the activities in the Austin Stack Pavilion and the John Mitchel's Club. A big sports fan. Bob supported the black green and gold of Kerry whenever they took the field.
Both Bob and Hanna had a massive interest in the game of bingo, whether in the Mitchel's Club or in Listowel. He cherished his time spent on holidays with his family and thought that Plymouth was the loveliest place on earth.
In later years they went on holidays to Santa Ponsa with Joanna, son-in-law Pa Kerins and his three grandsons Robert, Conor and Andrew.
Bob often told of the time he introduced Pa to Joanna and was very happy with the outcome of their meeting in Turner's Bar. In 1999 Pa not alone became his son-in-law but a much loved friend. Bob was grandad to his three wonderful grandchildren and absolutely adored each of them.
Summer holidays in Collooney were also enjoyed in the company of his family. He visited his relatives and boyhood friends and liked nothing better than enjoying a convivial drink or game of cards with them. His visits became less frequent following the death of his parents, but he still went to see his sister Noelle, her husband George and family.
Bob had a daily routine of going for a cycle to Tralee Town Park. There he would sit on his favourite seat and chat with other friends. His cycle culminated with a visit to his beloved Hanna to offer prayers by her graveside.
Bob's family would like to thank their neighbours and close friends for their kindness to them during this sad time. A special thanks to Bob's bingo ladies in Listowel who showered him with sweets on a weekly basis and made sure he was always okay.

The removal of Bob's remains took place from McElligott's Funeral Home on Monday, July 1st, to St John's Church, Castle Street. Requiem Mass was offered on Tuesday morning at 10am followed by interment in New Rath Cemetery.

Bob is survived by his daughter Joanna, son-in-law Pa, grandsons Robert, Conor and Andrew, sister Noelle, brother-in-law George, relatives and friends.

Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye. Tweet

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